PEOPLE in Cumbria are being asked for their views on a regional adoption agency which would combine services available here with those in the north east.

It will bring together Cumbria County Council, Durham County Council and Together for Children – which provides children’s services on behalf of Sunderland City Council – as well as five voluntary adoption agencies.

The authorities have been working with the Department for Education since December 2016 and have been awarded £670,000 funding.

The new RAA is being developed in response to government guidance which requires councils to join forces in order to make the adoption process quicker, improve recruitment of adopters and support for children in their adoptive families, and reduce costs related to looked-after children.

Those interested in adoption are being asked for their views on what the new agency should be called as part of a consultation across the three areas.

Lynn Berryman, assistant director for children and young people, said: “By working together we will significantly benefit from each other’s expertise and experience - meaning we can improve outcomes for children and adoptive families. There are many benefits to this, but most importantly, we will be able to match children with prospective adopters much more quickly and provide a greater level of support to families.”

Visit www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DKL287T.